Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill admits Mathew Tait could be sent out on loan in order to gain match practice as he makes his comeback from injury.

Tait has endured woeful luck with injuries for years since showing such promise at the 2007 Rugby World Cup for England which has prevented him from exploiting his potential. Tait looked like he was getting back to his best at Welford Road last season in which he earned an Aviva Premiership winners medal with the Tigers, but he has played no rugby this season due to an ankle injury.

Tait is now ready to return after surgery but Cockerill believes that, after five months on the treatment table, the Heineken Cup and a tricky Premiership schedule is the last place for the 27-year-old to begin his recovery and that the club are exploring its options.

"When he is back, it is just a case of where you play him," the boss told the Leicester Mercury.

"He has not played since the Grand Final and getting him some game-time in the right environment is important. I would potentially lend him out to a Championship team because we have to get him some game-time somewhere.

"Unless our injury crisis continues, we don't really want to chuck him straight into the Montpellier double-header or Saracens away, after he has not done anything for five months. That would be unfair on him.

"We will find somewhere, where he can get a bit of game-time, wherever that is."